Lens beveling machine



NOV. 13, LEMAY LENS BEVELING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21, 1949 mm g INVENTOR.

. RTHUF? LEMAY AT TORNEYS Wm]. 13, 1951 A. LEMAY 2,575,022

' LENS BEVELING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1949 7 SheetsSheet 2 FIG. 2. INVENTOR.

ARTHUR LEMAY ATTORNEYS Nov. 13, 1951 A. LEMAY 2,575,022

' LENS BEVEILING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1949 7 SheetsSheet 3 7.. 62a V V, a

INVENTOR.

FIG 3. V ARTHUR LEMAY ATTORNEYS Nov. 13, 1951 AY 2,575,022

LENS BEVELING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 95 ARTHUR LEMAY AT TO R NEYS NOV. fig, 1951 LEMAY LENS BEVELING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ww A w FIG.8.

I INVENTOR ARTHUR LEMAY ww $61M ATTORNEYS NOV. 13, 1951 LEMAY 2,575,022

LENS BEVELING MACHINE Filed Feb. 21, 1949 7 Sheets-Sheet '7 II 1% J83 1 i 9 5 9 1051 1/4- .1106 a 04 J15 v115 INVENTOR ARTHUR LEMAY ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 13, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LENS'BEVELING MACHINE Arthur Iiemay, Ozone Park, .Y.

Application February21, 1949; -SerialNo.- 77,-589' Claiins;

This invention relatesto a new and improved the" machine: is adapted to grind. bevel edged optical lenses; and avoids any necessity for finishing-s lens grinding machine. In particular,

such lenses by hand'.

When a thick optical lens is to be: placed inan eye-glass frame, it is customary. to bevel the surfaces of suchalens, When thisis done, theouter portions ofthe respective surfaces of the lens slope toward each other, so that the pe--- ripheral edge of thezlens is considerably; thinner.

than the central portion'thereof. The lens may, then be readily fitted into the groove of a standard eye-glass frame.

It is desirable in'such workthat one surface" of thevlens be beveled to agreater: extent than Then the: portion of the-pe ripheral edge, which is: to be gripped bythe frame, is nearer to the main portion of the 1ess=-- the other surface.

beveledrsurfa ce than to the main'portion of the other surface.

such protrusion is not readily noticed. The

appearance of the eye-glasses isthereby en--- hanced;

When each surface 'ofthe'lens is beveled equal-- 1y, thereis" a /2' /2 bevel ratio; When the bevel of one surfaceis-greaterthan the bevel of the other surface, there is an unequal bevel ratio. A

without the-necessity for finishing the'lensby hand.

Another object of this invention-is to provide a device for bevelingthe peripheral edge of a lens, which may be easily and quickly adjusted so that any-desired bevel ratio maybe accurately produced, without the necessity for finishingthe lens by hand.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine with means for producing an easily and accurately varied bevel ratio on lenses, which means are simple and economical'to construct;

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for grinding optical lenses, in which the main housing, to which a housing holding thelens is attached,- has limited freedom of rotational movement and easily and' accurately adjustable means to exert a-force of rotationon The-.flens .is set in the frame :withthe less-beveled surface facing the front; and protruding only slightly.- The heavily beveled surface protrudes to the rear of the frame, wheresaid main housing so as: to causesaidnlens: to

bear more heavily. againstlone side ofsa v-shapedgroove f in the rima of the: grinding wheel: than" against the other side of said groove, thereby" producing any desired unequal bevel ratio on the surfaces of -said lens.

Anothertobject of this invention is to provide a machine, such as rdescribed immediately pre ceding; inwhich universal coupling means: are provided-tocouple thesource of'power to the: gear system in said main housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a grinding machinewhich swil-l provide-an adjustable, accurate bevel ratio onthe peripheral edgeof a lens, and which hasrneans fora-utomatically removing-,zsaid lens from contact with the grind-- in'g ,wheel after a predetermined number of rev0-'- lutions {of the lens, thereby-;preventing-=.either sur face of said lens from being beveled to too great: an extentr Another object of this invention is to provide a-grinding machine which will-provide an adjustable accurate bevel ratio on the peripheral edge ofalens,- and-which-is provided with means whereby: said lens may be simultaneously and automatically removed" fromcontact with the grinding .wheel and caused-to cease rotating, after a predetermined number of revolutions of the lens.

Other objects and advantages of' the invention will become apparent in the following description and in-the annexeddrawings, in which a preferred embodiment is" shown; and in which,-

Fig; 1"is"-a sideview of'the device, also sh'o'wiiigthjmotbr by" means of which the grinding wheel is CaIISEdtQTEV'OlV'e; The v'i'ew'is' shown" partlybroken'away and partly in section;

Fig. 2 is a front View of the device;

Fig; 3is'a ,topplan viewof the device with the covers" removed. In this view, the parts are" shown' in" positions corresponding to the lens" housing being in its down position with the lens in contactwith the grinding wheel;

Fig. 4-isa side view, partially in section, along the'-'1ine.4-4'of'Fig: 3: The view issbroken' away, with pa-rt of the grinding-wheel asnwell'asrthe sharpeningsattachment being. omitted. The lenshousing is in its down position, in whichposition the lens may be ground;

Fig, 5is a=detail view similar to Fig; 4, showing the position of various parts when the lens housing is in raised position and-the lens is no longerbeing ground;

Fig-dis a rear viewalong the line 6-6' of Fig; 3'.' The view is shown broken away at-the 3 bottom, with a portion of the casting on which the machine rests being omitted. The view is shown partly in section, to show the fixed gear housing and the universally mounted connecting rod con necting the gears of said fixed gear housing to the gears of the main housing;

Fig. 7 is a detail View similar to Fig. 3, corresponding to the lens housing being in raised position, but showing the clutch means just prior to being disengaged.

Fig. 8 is a section along the line 8-8 of Fig. 1. The view is shown broken away at the bottom and at the right side, omitting portions of the frame and of the grinding wheel and the sharpening attachment. The positions of certain of the parts corresponding to the lens housings raised position are shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 9 is a section on line 99 of Fig. 6, showing a detail of the weight arm, and of the stops for limiting the movement of the main housing;

Fig. 10 is a section on line ill-I of Fig. 1, showing a detail of the lens housing. The dotted line positions of certain parts show those parts in position for disengaging the lens from the holding jaws;

Fig. 11 is a section on line H--II of Fig. 10, showing the relationship of the gears in the lens housing to the gears in the main housing;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line I2-l2 of Fig. 10, showing a detail of the mechanism for engaging and disengaging the lens;

Fig. 13 is a section on the line l3l3 of Fig. 11. The view shows a detail of the clutch which engages the gear train which turns the lens. The clutch is shown in disengaged position;

Fig. 14 is a detail view, similar to Fig. 13, but showing the clutch in engaged position. Certain of the parts are shown in elevation rather than in section;

Fig. 15 is a section along line l'5-l5 of Fig. 13; and

Fig. 16 is a section along the line l6l6 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 1 shows the improved machine as comprising a base [0, in which grinding wheel 2'! is rotatably mounted. Vertical post 60 is fixed in said base [0, and main housing 63 is mounted on said post. As is shown in Fig. 3 and other figures, lens housing 149, on which lens L is rotatably mounted, is secured to main housing 63 with a limited freedom of vertical movement. Lens housing I49 may be placed in its lowered position, so that the peripheral edge of lens L rests within V-shaped. groove or notch 36, which is formed in rim 35 of grinding wheel 2'! and extends completely around the circumference of said wheel.

When lens L and grinding wheel 21 are caused to rotate, the portions of the respective surfaces of lens L bearing against the respective sloping sides of groove 36 become beveled. When the surfaces of lens L bear equally against the respective sides of groove 36, an equal, or /2 bevel ratio is produced. When one surface of lens L bears more heavily against the respective side of groove 36 than the other surface, an-unequal bevel ratio is produced.

It is a feature of this invention that main housing 63 is mounted on post 60 with a limited freedom of rotation in a horizontal plane. As is shown in Fig. 6, a lever system is provided whereby the force in a downward direction of a weight 19 is translated into a force tending to cause main housing 63 to rotate. This rotational 4 force is sensitive to the adjustment of weight 19 on a lever arm 18.

The rotational force on main housing 63 is a force which causes one surface of lens L to bear more heavily against the respective side of groove 36 than the other surface, thereby producing an unequal bevel ratio.

Because of the slight freedom of rotation of main housing 63,, special coupling means are required to couple the source of power to the gear system in said housing 63. The coupling means used in the preferred embodiment are shown in Fig. 6 and will be hereinafter described. The gear system in main housing 63 is further coupled to the gear system in lens housing I49.

In a more detailed description of the above parts, it is seen that base 10, which is preferably a casting, is substantially a hollow framework. Frame 10 may be placed on any convenient support, such as a table. A depressed channel H is formed running from the front of frame If] to a point near the rear of said frame. Grinding wheel 21 is disposed within said channel and is mounted on shaft 23. Said shaft is rotatably mounted in bearing housings l6 and Mia, and protrudes beyond housing l6a.

Drive wheel 2| is mounted on the end of shaft 23 which protrudes beyond bearing housing lfia. Said wheel is driven by means of a conventional motor l8, which may be placed posteriorly to frame 10. Continuous belt 20 connects drive wheel 2| to drive wheel 19 of motor l8.

Post is mounted in an opening in projection [1, which projects outwardly from the rear wall of frame ID. The lower portion of post 60 is threaded, and it may be vertically adjusted by means of a pair of nuts 6 I, which are respectively mounted on said post above and below projection H.

A gear housing 62 is provided, which has a recessed flange portion 62a, by means of which it is mounted on post 60 at the top thereof. Housing 62 is fixed to post 60 by means of screw 68.

The manner of mounting main housing 63 on post 60 below housing 62, is clearly shown in Fig. 8. Collar 64 is fixedly secured to post 60, and fits within a recess in the bottom of housing 63, to prevent vertical movement thereof on post 60. The top of collar 64 serves as a race in which ball bearings 65 are mounted to permit free rotation of housing 63.

The rotation of housing 63 is limited by means of bracket 66 and post 61, as is clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 9. This serves to prevent damage to the universal coupling means. Bracket 66 is secured to housing 63, and is U-shaped, the arms of said bracket being horizontal. The arms of bracket 66 pass on either side of the top vertical portion of post 61. rear wall of frame If). on the rotation of housing 63, adjusting screws may be passed through the respective arms of bracket 66, the position of said screws "ID being respectively controlled by adjusting nuts H.

The manner of mounting weight 19 and its arm T8 is clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 9. A rod 69 is provided, with a threaded extension 12 which screws into a threaded recess in the rear of extension 62a of gear housing 62. Shaft extension 12 may be screwed into housing extension 62a until flange or collar T3 of rod 69 abuts said extension 62a. A casting M has a recess, whereby said casting'fits rotatably over rod 69. A screw 16 has a threaded shank 16a which screws into Post 6'! is secured to the As a further limitation I athreaded bore in rod 69. A washer lli is provided, by means of; which screw 'lfi'holdscasting rod 69.. This force increases as weight-19 is m re t ardt s ree endnfq rm 1 Pin ll extends rearwardlyfrom the back of main housing 63, and it is apparent that a force exterted on pin 'l1 inthe directionof the arrowshown in Fig. 6'will-cause housing B3 to tend to rotate about post 60. Casting is hasa narrowed extension 140; which abuts onesideof pin TI when said casting is, approximately vertical. The force exerted by weight 19 causes casting extension 14a to exert a force on' pin Win the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 6, and this force causes housing 63 to tend to rotate.

Whenweight I is adjusted outwardly on arm '58, and lens. housing I4 8 rotatedand lowered to placelens L within groove 30; of grinding wheel 21, therotationalforce onmainhousing 03 and on lens housing I49, resulting from the action of saidweight 19,. causes one surface of said lens L to bear moreheavily against the side of said groove 35 than the other surface. An unequal bevel ratio is thereby produced. If the turning force exerted on casting I4 is reduced substantially to zero, either by removing weight I9 from arm laorbyplacing weight 19 as far inwardly on arm 18 as .it will go, then a /24/2 bevelratio is roduced.

As was heretofore stated, the.slight freedom of rotation of main housing 63 makes it advisable that universal coupling means beemployed, to

couple the source of power to the gear system of said housing 6 3.. As is clearlyshownin Fig.

6, drive wheel 51 ismounted, on driven shaft 23 adjacent to bearing housing I6. Said drive wheel drives wheel 82 by means of continuous belt 59-. Said wheel 82 ,drives the gear train mounted in gear housing 62-,

Wheel 82 is mounted outside .gearhousing 62 on protruding shaft 8i. Wheel 82 has a hub 03,.also mounted on shaft BI. Shaft BI extends into housing 02,, with the side walls of said housing acting as bearings. Gear 84 is mounted on shaft 8| inside housing Sland'is driven by wheel 82. which is mountedon shaft 86 intermediate the walls ofhousing 62. Said gear 85' in turn drives gear. 8'5, which isheld in, the top of housing 62 by means of v shaft. 88.

One end of shaft 88. projects beyond the wall of housing 62 toward the center of the machine. A bushing 89 isintegral with said end 'of shaft 88., Said bushing. 89 has a cylindrical bore, the walls of which have a'pair of opposed longitudinalslots 90. A rod 9| hasa rounded end-portion 0m outof which two. pins 92 project. Said pins .92 are respectively engaged by slots 90.

Therefore, rod 9i. is held by bushing 89 with freedom of longitudinal ,movement and a slight amount of angular play. The other end of rod 9| is threaded and screws .into oneend of a is a gearbox 93... 303, 93., is preferablycast and is open at the back and top. Box 93 serves as Said gear 84 in turn drives gear 85,

a housing; between the walls of'=which -andout side the wall of which, gearsmay-be-mounted. A supplementary gear supportmember 03a is securedto the right wall of-box 93- in-the position shown in Fig. 11. Gear 94 ismounted at the free..- end of member 93a, by means of a-shaft 95 which runs through member 93a,- through a bearing90, and under the bottom of box -83.-

Shaft 95 is terminated by abushingill, whichis precisely similar to bushing 89. Asecond rod Qi is secured in bushing 91; exactly as described for the first rod 9I- in bushing 89. The free endof said rod 9! screwsinto the other end-of shaft Mb. The universal coupling-isthus completed and motor I3 ;is coupledto' gear 94 in-main housing 63-.

As is clearly shown-in-Figs- 3'and "I, gear-941s the first in a train of gears 94,- 99, I0 I,- which are mounted on support member 93a. Said gear train is coupled to further gear trainsmounted on gear box 93. Gear IN is coupled by electromagnet-operated clutch means to gear train- I I1; I24. Gear I24 is coupled to a gear train I43; I44.

Gear I44 is coupled to a gear train-I4'I, I40. Gears I44 and I4? are mounted with handle 44%,- on gear box 93, so as to be manuallyturnable by same, although said handle may be disengagedfrom gear I44 if desired.--

Gear I48. is coupled to gear train I 53, I54. Gear. I54 is mounted outside lens ;housing-I49-and is coupled to the gear systemmounted inside said 7 housing. The interrelationship betweenthe gear system mounted on main housing [53- and the gear system of lens housing I49 is clearly shown in Fig. 11. Fig. 10 clearly shows the gearsmounted in said lens housing.

In a more detailed description of the above parts, it will be noted that gear 99 is mounted on member 93a by means of screw I50; As isclearlyshown in Figs. 13 and 14, gear Ifll' is mounted onsleeve I02, through which shaft I09 extends. Gear H1 is mounted on extension 19 of said shaft I09.

Sleeve I02 extends throughmember 93a and the outer side wall of box 93, and through hearing I03. Said sleeve I02 is integral with ratchetmember I04, which abuts flange; I031; of hearing I03.

Shaft I09 extends through-ratchet I04 and through bushing I II. Then the diameter of said shaft increases slightly to form extension 109a,- the other end of which is mounted in the inner side wall of gear box 93-. Sleeve H0 is slidably mounted'on shaft extension I09a, and may be moved to operate the clutch means causing said shaft together with gear I IT to rotate when gear IN and sleeve I02 rotate.

Said clutch means comprise rods I I5 which are respectively pivotally mounted, by means of pivot pins I I4, in longitudinal recesses formed through bushing I I I. As is clearly shown in Fig. 15, notches- I I2 are cut in the periphery of bushing I I Ito provide access for the insertion of said pins II4. Springs IIEi are respectively embedded inbushing "I I I and attached to respective rods- I I5, and act to bias the ends of said rods H5 away from ratchet I04.

The other ends'of rods H5. which are adjacent to sleeve H0, have sloped or inclined faces Il5a which bear against the reciprocally tapered portion IIOa of sleeve H0. Normally, sleeve I is is in the position of Fig. 13; and pins IE5 do not engage ratchet I04. However, a force is exertedon' sleeve, H0 to push'it toward bushing I I I,-to

the position of Fig: 14'. Tapered sleeve portion I Ia bears against end faces I Ia of said pins I I5 and pushes said end faces outwardly. The other ends of rods II5 are thereby pushed inwardly until their respective bottom edges 51) are engaged by ratchet I04. As a result, shaft I09 is coupled to sleeve I02, and gear II1 turns with gear IOI. When said force on sleeve H0 is released, the action of springs I I6 causes said sleeve to return to the position of Fig. 13, and the clutch is disengaged.

The movement of sleeve H0 is controlled by electromagnet I05, which is mounted in housing I01 in the rear portion of box 93. This is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 7. One end of an armature I06 is hingedly secured to the rear wall of housing I01, and said armature passes through bracket I08 on the front wall of said housing. The free end portion of said armature I06 is forked or bifurcated into two arm extensions I06a, which pass respectively above and below shaft extension I090. and bear against sleeve IIO. This is clearly shown in Fig. 16.

Normally, armature I96 is in the position of Fig. 3, corresponding to the position of sleeve I I0 in Fig. 13. When the electrical circuit of electromagnet I05 is closed, in a manner which will be described below, armature I06 is moved to the position of Fig. '7, and arm extensions I06a push sleeve I I0 to the position of Fig. 14, thereby engaging the clutch means. When the circuit of electromagnet I05 is opened, the parts return to the positions of Figs. 3 and 13, and the clutch means are disengaged.

Gear I24, which is driven by gear H1, is mounted on shaft II9. Shaft H9 is rotatably mounted in the side walls of box 93, and has an extension outside the inner side wall. Said extension of shaft II9 has a collar I22 mounted thereon. Said collar has an end face with a pawl I21 eccentrically and loosely mounted thereon by means of screw I28. The function of said pawl will be hereinafter described.

Shaft II9 also couples gear I24 to gear I43, which is mounted on an extension of said shaft external to the outer wall of gear box 93. Said gear I43 drives gear I44, which is coupled to gear I41 and which, along with said gear I41, is manually turnable by means of handle I46, in the manner heretofore described.

Gear I41 drives gear H48. Inner gear I53 is secured to said gear I48, and both are rotatably mounted on pivot rod I5Ia. Gear I53 drives the gears of lens housing I49.

Said lens housing I49 is pivotally secured to main housing 63, as is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 10. Housing 63 has on either side thereof, forward projections I50 and I50a. Rods I5I and I5Ia are respectively fixed in said housing projections I50 and I50a, and extend inwardly of said projections. Said rods fit into recesses in lens housing l49, which rotates on said rods.

Viewed from the top, housing I49 is approximately U-shaped with forward projections I49a and I491). Shaft I56 extends through the main portion of housing I49 and is rotatably mounted in the side Walls thereof. Shaft I56 extends outside one of said walls of housing I49, and has mounted thereon gear I54, which meshes with gear I53 on rod I5Ia. This meshing takes place even when lens housing I49 is rotated on rods I5I and I5Ia. r

A pair of gears I51 are mounted on shaft I56 adjacent the respective side walls of housing I49. One gear I51 drives gear I58, which is rotatably mounted on rod I59. Said rod is fixed in a side wall of housing I49. The other gear I51 drives gear I60, which is mounted on sleeve I6I adjacent the other side wall of said housing.

Gear I60 drives gear I16, which is secured to shaft I1I. Gear I 58 drives gear I18, which is secured to shaft I11. Shaft I'II is rotatably and slidably mounted in the side walls of housing extension I491), and shaft I11 is rotatably mounted in the side walls of housing extension I49a. Shafts HI and I11 revolve at the same speed, extend between housing extensions I49a and I491), and are adapted to have lens L mounted intermediate each other. The other end of shaft I11 extends beyond the outer side Wall of housing extension M911, and is adapted to have pattern plate P mounted thereon.

Means are provided for moving shaft "I to clamp and unclamp lens L, said means being clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 12.

Sleeve I6I is mounted in the wall of lens housing I49, extends inwardly through gear I60, and terminates in a portion I6Ia of increased diameter, which portion abuts gear I60. Sleeve I6I has an internal threaded bore through which passes threaded shaft I62. Shaft I62 has a handle I63, which may be manually turned to drive said shaft inwardly or outwardly. Nut I64 is screwed over said shaft I62 and abuts portion I6Ia of sleeve I6I, serving as a holding nut to hold said sleeve in place.

A block I65 is loosely mounted over the unthreaded end portion I62a of shaft I62, axial movement of said block being prevented by suitable means, such as collars mounted on said shaft portion I62a. A similar block I14 fits loosely over shaft IN, the axial movement of said block being prevented by collars I15 on shaft I1I.

A yoke member I68 has a pair of spaced parallel arms which respectively fit above and below respective shafts I62a and HI. The arms of said yoke member I68 respectively have slots I61 therein, adjacent to block I65, and slots I12 in the ends thereof, adjacent to block I14. Pins I66 project outwardly from block I65 and respectively protrude through respective slots I61. Further, pins I13 project outwardly from block I14 and respectively protrude through respective slots I12. The hub portion of yoke member I68 is turnably secured to the base of housing I49 by means of screw I69 and washer I10.

It is thus apparent that when handle I63 is screwed outwardly, shaft I1I is retracted to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 10. However, when handle I63 is screwed inwardly to the fullline position of Fig. 10, shaft I1I is moved to the full-line position of Fig. 10. In this way, lens L may be inserted or removed.

As shown in Fig. 11, shaft IN is provided with I a longitudinal slot I1Ia, in which a key projection of gear I16 fits, so that said shaft rotates in unison with said gear. Neverthless, shaft I1I is slidable with respect to gear I16, which is prevented from sliding by any convenient means.

The electrical circuit of electromagnet I05 is opened and closed by the action of a lever I93, which is pivotally attached to main housing 63.

Normally, said circuit is open. However, when lens L is ground down sufficiently, pattern P is lowered and strikes against the head I93a of lever I93. The other end of lever I93 is thereby raised and closes a movable contact completing the electrical circuit. 'This is apparent from Figs. 4 and 5.

There are two means by which the circuit of electromagnet I05 may be broken. The first 'he e d "piston ZI l, which is normally spring-biased to means is by an ungroundportion of lens L coming into contact with grinding 'wheeI lZl, thereby causing pattern P to rise and allowing lever 93 to pivot away from thefmovable'contact,

The other'means to break the circuitis actuatediby ratchet I32, which is moved by the prealong with said ratchetgcauses lever 2H toshift position. This releases spring tens ionedpost 22 3 which rotates sharply. Cam projection 23w rotates along with said post and depresses lever I93 to break the circuit of electromagnet I05.

It a more detailed description of the "above parts, it is seen that lever I 93 ispivotally mounted onfix'ed shaft I22, which projects out of extension IIl of main housing 65. As is; shown in Figs. 4 and 5, head I931; of said lever I93 has an internal bore in which is mounted a partly threaded shaft I98. Turning knob I99;is mounted on the threaded portion of said shaft, within recess I 96in lever-hea-dl93a, and-serves as a means for adjusting said shaft vertically.

Shaft lllil'extends above head block "205 securedby any convenient'means to its top portion. Blade spring '2ll2'is mounted on-saidblo'ck' and'is located underneath and in alinement with pattern plate P.

The portion of lever I93 carryingsaid blade spring'ZIlZ is lighter" than the other half of said lever, and "therefore "normally abuts plate P. Plate? may belo'wered, thereby raising the opposite endof lever I93. Said opposite end may also be lowered, pressing bladespring 202'against plate P to raise it and lens housing I49, thereby removing lens L from contact with grinding wheel 21.

Electricswit'chmeans arejso placed as to be actuated by upper surface T9311 of theend of the heavier portion of lever I93. Sai'd means' com- I prise a junction plate mash'own' 3,' which is secured, by any convenientmeans to the rear of housing 53. Two terminals 209 andZIIl are provided 'cn plate 252, to which are respectively attached wires leading to the solenoid and to the electrical" circuit thereof. Said circuitis conven- Contact end of strip2II is normally open, but may be forcedagainst terminal 2 I ii to complete the electric'al oir'cuit of electrom'agnet I65.

A vertical sleeve 2I2 is fixedly mounted by means ofnutsflt, in; a recess in a projection extending rearwardlyof housing '63, below plate 208. Sleeve H2 has ahead 2I2aabovehousing s3, and also projects below the recess in said Within the bore of sleeve 2I2 is a the down position otFig. -5 by conventional internal spring means (not shown). Piston 2M has a head 2I4a, in which is embedded a knob 2E5, which is made'of an insulatingmaterial.

When head I'9'3d of lever I23 is depressed, lever surface I931) bears against piston '2 I4, and knob 2I5 is raised to strike against spring 2H and complete the "electrical circuit of electromagnetlll5. I

When lever surface I932: is depressed, said electrical circuit is opened. The action of ratchet I32 to depress said surface is as foll'oxtrs.

Ratchet I32 is rotatably mounted onfixed shaft I29, which extends laterallyfrom'the inner side wall or gear box 93, Said ratchet is in position to be turnedby'pawl I27, which, as described above, turns when lens L turns. Ratchet I32 is rotated one revolution forapproximately four revolutions of lens L.

Manual means forin'oving ratchet I 32 are also provided. A relatively long, narrow plate I33 is rotatably mounted on shaft I29 adjacent box 93. Pawl lsiifismounted on said platein position to engage ratchet I32 and prevent backward slip thereof. In addition, saidpawl may be impelled against ratchet I32 to turn same by moving plate I 33. Plunger I 3'I, with screwon handle I38, is loosely mounted at the top of at I 1mg y be u l vtp move s me P un er J 1 s, h ld i subs n horizontalposition by means of support means I93 and has ont 'off'the openingthereof. k v pin 222" projecting therefromfwliich rides n s ot I39, which is fixed'lto g earbo g 93,

Stop pins I40 and I are secured in the side wall of box 93'r espe'ctively-in front of and behind plate I 33, tolimit the movement of said plate. A further step pin I42 mounted in plate I33,in such a position, that whenplate I33 is pushed *forward into abutment with stop pin I-tI, stop pin I42 abuts against and limits the movement of pawl I21 so that it will not engage ratchet I32. r t

Ratchet I32 as-secured thereto a hub I3I, which carries a cam '216. "'After 'a revolution of said ratchet, said 'camrau'ses lever' 2 I I to move.

Lever 2Il is'jpiv'otally mounted by mounting means 2 I8 011 the top of inain' housing63. One end of said lever 2I'I c'arr'i'es'ahead 2I9, which 'isho llow-cylindrical in sliapeand open at one end. 'Said head 'z e ha ajlong'itudinal slot 22 0.

Piston 22l "rides inside he'ad tie and projects Piston 22I has a 22c and prevents rotationofsaid piston. Piston '22I is biasedtoward the open end ofhead'2l 9 'b'y'mea'nsof a spring (not shown) located in gradually pushed back, against'the' action of the 50 spring, "and lever"'2'I I 'is rotated slightly.

A tension spring 223 is secured to'housing 63 and 'toleve'r2I1,"andbiases"said lever to resist the rotation imparted thereto 'by' piston 22 I.

said post'b'eing rotatablyrnountedintwo bearings 225 located respectively above andbelow -A' 'collar 226 'is'fixedly secured at the top of post 224. 'A cam 22'l'projeots from the side of collar 226. When post 224 is turned to the 'proper'position, the flat-face of cam 22! rests flush'against the*flatvertical edge of the end of lever *2I 'I. v

A turnable handle 228 is mounted on the end of post 224 below housing 63 A coil spring 229 is wound around post 224 above handle 228. One end of spring 229 is secured to post 224, and the other end of spring 229 is secured to post 233, which depends downwardly from housing 63.

Spring'229 urges post 224 in a clockwise direction, as shown in Fig. 3, so that cam 221 normally fits tightly against lever 2I'I, I v

A collar 23I is fitted over post 224 above spring the electrical circuit of electromagnei; I05.

I 229. Said collar 23I has a cam-like projection 23 la. Cam 23Ia has an outwardly sloped leading edge, the head of which normally is located slightly above the top surface of lever I93.

When cam 2I6 strikes piston 22I to rotate lever 2II, the edge of said lever is moved out of abutment with cam 221, and the action of spring 229 causes post 224 to rotate sharply clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3. The leading edge of cam 23Ia climbs over the top surface of the heavy portion of said lever I93, depressing said portion. This The raising of lever head I93a causes spring I 202 to str ke against pattern plate P, thus raising pattern plate P, together with lens housing I49 and lens L. Lens L is therefore simultaneously raised from grinding wheel 21 and caused to stop rotating. At the same time, the action of Weight I9 causes housings 53 and I49 to swing slightly to one side, until checked by stop-screw III in bracket 66.

In order to resume operations, as with a new lens inserted, plun er handle I38 is pushed inwardly to carry cam 2I6 past piston edge 22Ia,

thereby permitting lever 2" to return to its normal position. Handle 220 is turned back in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, until cam22I is turned sufficiently to permit lever 2I'I to return to its normal pos tion.

The operation of the machine is as follows.

'Unground lens blank L is mounted in place, and weight I9 is adjusted. When the grinding is started, pattern P does not bear down sufficiently on lever head I93a for lever surface I931) to close the circuit of electromagnet, I 05. Therefore, lens L and ratchet I32 do not turn.

A brief period of grinding wears down lens L and plate P is lowered. Lever I93 1' s thereby actuated to close the circuit of electromagnet I05, and lens L and ratchet I32 are caused to turn until another unground portion of lens L is in contact with grinding wheel 21. The electrical circuit is opened. and lens L no longer turns.

The above process is repeated, and lens L alternately is motionless while being ground, and then rotates unt l a new unground portion is in contact with'wheel 21.

After lens L completes approximately one revolution, it is usually sufficiently ground so that pattern P continually actuates lever I93 to close In that case, lens L rotates continuously. The finishing touches are thereby given to the bevel on said lens.

Too much grinding would be undesirable, as lens L would be worn down too much. This is avoided, because after approximately four revolutions of lens L, cam 2I6, which is carried by ratchet I32, actuates the mechanism causing cam 23Id to depress lever I93. Lever head I93a is forced against pattern plate P, and lens L is lifted from wheel 21 and stops rotating.

Operation of the machine may be resumed by following the procedure described above.

Other conventional features of the machine include manual latch means to lock lens housing I49 in a raised position. Latching rod I86 is attached to main housing 63, and may be engaged by latch extension I90 on handle I86, which is pivotally mounted on housing I49.

Lens housing I49 is counterweighted by adjustable weight 206, so that the pressure holding lens L in contact with wheel 21 may be varied.

Water container 38 may be removably mounted above top cover 31, which is insertable over main housing 63. Water from said container may be allowed to drip through tubing 43 on to sponge 34, which impinges against wheel 21. An additional wiping sponge 50 is held against wheel 21 by counterweight 48.

Sharpening means for wheel 21 are mounted on support 44, which bridges channel II. Said means comprise a base 5| and plates 42 and 53, which may be respectively adjusted by twining handles 54 and 55 to bring sharpener member 56 properly to bear against Wheel 21.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described, it is apparent that various changes and modifications may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Other coupling means between the source of power and the gear system in main housing 63 may be provided. The important thing is to preserve some flexibility in the coupling, to allow for a slight freedom of rotation of housing 63.

Other means for mounting housing 63, besides post 60, may be provided. The chief concern is to preserve the lever features of the invention. Housings 63 and I49 are rotatable with respect to grinding wheel 21, in a horizontal plane. Lever means are rotatable in a vertical plane, the force of rotation exerted on said lever means being variable by adjusting a weight. Said lever means are adapted to engage housing 63 and exert a force of rotation on same. The precise means for mounting the above basic components may be varied.

Equivalent means may be provided for clamping and unclamping lens L. Modifications may be made in the construction of various parts, and in the coupling of the various gears and other movable parts.

Other changes and modifications may be made.

What is claimed is:

1. In a lens beveling machine of the character described, a frame, a grooved grinding wheel rotatably journalled within said frame and adapted to be coupled to a source of power, a post mounted vertically in said frame, a main housing rotatably mounted on said vertical post, a lens housing secured to said main housing and pivotable vertically relative to same, said lens housing being adapted to have a lens rotatably mounted thereon, said main housing and said lens housing being adapted to be positioned to set said lens in the groove in said grinding wheel, lever means secured to said vertical post and carrying a depending lever member, said lever member being rotatable in a vertical plane and being adapted to engage said main housing to exert a force of rotation on same, a weight arm secured to said lever member and extending laterally therefrom, a weight mounted on said weight arm and adjustable thereon to vary the force of rotation exerted by said lever member on said main housing.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1, said source of power being coupled to a first gear system mounted in said main housing, said first gear system of said main housing being coupled to a second gear system in said main housing by electromagnet-controlled clutch means, said second gear system in said main housing being coupled to a gear system in said lens housing, said lens housing gear system being coupled to a shaft, said lens being adapted to be removably mounted on saidshaft, whereby to cause saidilenstm revolve when the circuit of said .electromagnetl is closed to operatesaid clutch.

3. In a machine of the characterdeseribed for beveling a lens by means of a rotating-"grinding wheel having a grooved rim, support means for said machine a main housing mounted -on:;said

support means and rotatable in a .planettransverse to said grinding "wheel, weight -controlled lever means mounted on said support means and rotatable in a vertical plane, said lever means beingadapted to engage said main housing and exerta force of rotation on same,1a first gear system mounted in said main housing and universally coupled to a source.:of.:. ower, said'first.

gear system in said main housing being coupled by electromagnet-operated clutch means to a second gear system mounted in said main housing, saidsecond gear systembeing coupled to a pawl which causes a cam-carrying ratchet wheel to rotate, alenshousing secured to said main housing and pivotable vertically relative to same, said second gear system of said main housingbeing coupled-toa' gearsystem mounted-in said lens housing, said lens housing gear system being coupled to an axially slidable shaft and an axially -fixedshaft,*said shafts being-alined andsimultaneously rotatable, means for adjusting said slidable-shaft so as to clampa lens blank intermediate the sameand said-axially fixed shaft,--said lens blank being positioned in said groove of said grinding wheel, said axially fixed shaft having a pattern plate .mounted on the other end thereof, said pattern plate being thereby raised or lowered depending on the extent to which any portion of said lens blank is ground, a lever pivotally mounted on said main housing and adapted to close a switch in the electrical circuit of said electromagnet to cause said lens and said cam-carrying ratchet to rotate, the action of said lever being controlled by the raising and lowering of said pattern plate, means actuated by said cam-carrying ratchet to move said lever to open said electrical circuit and exert an upward force on said pattern plate, thereby causing said lens to be removed from contact with said grinding wheel and to stop the rotation of said lens. 1

4. A machine in accordance with claim 3', said lever-moving means actuated by said cam-carrying ratchet, comprising a vertical post extending through a recess in said main housing and mounted rotatably therethrough, said post having top and bottom collars mounted thereon respectively above and below said main housing, each of said collars carrying a cam, said post being spring biased to rotate, a lever pivotally mounted on said housing, one end of said lever being spring biased to engage said cam on said top collar and prevent rotation of said post, the other end of said lever being adapted to be moved by said cam carried by said ratchet whereby to release said cam on said top collar and permit rotation of said post, said cam carried by said top collar having a sloped leading edge adapted to ride over said circuit-closing lever and depress same.

5. In a machine for grinding a lens by means of a grinding wheel, an assembly in which said lens is mounted, drive means for causing said lens to rotate, means for lifting said lens from contact with said grinding wheel after a predetermined number of revolutions of said lens, said lifting means comprising a ratchet, a pawl adapted to be engaged with and drive said ratchet, said pawl being eccentrically mounted on a shaft driven by said drive means, said ratchet carrying -'-a"cam,-"-a vertical post extending'through a recess in said assembly and mounted rotatably therethrou'gh,: said post having top and bottom collars mounted rotatably thereon respectively --above and below said assembly, each ofsaid collars carrying acam,said post being spring biased to rotate,v alever pivotally mounted on said assembly, one end of said lever being spring biased toengage said-cam on said top collar'and prevent rotation of said post, the other end of said lever being adapted tobe moved by said cam carried by said-ratchet whereby to release saidcam on said top collarand permitrotation of said post, said-cam carried by said bottom collar having a sloped leading edge,'-a side lever centrally pivoted to the side of-said assembly, one end of said side I lever beingadapted to be depressed by said sloped "leading edge of said bottom collar of said post when same-is rotated, whereby the other end of said side lever iselevatd to actuate means to #raise-said lens.

6. In a lens grinding machine, the combination secured to said main housing so as to be turnable about a horizontal axis, said lens housing being adapted to have mounted thereon a lens which is turnable about a horizontal axis, said main housing and said lens housing being adapted to be turned so as to position said lens in grinding position within said groove in said grinding wheel, a lever arm having one end mounted on said post so as to be turnable in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, a weight arm connected to said lever arm and extending laterally thereof, a weight mounted on said weight arm, and a coupling member mounted on said main housing in the path of travel of said lever arm, whereby the action of said weight causes said lever arm to exert a turning force on said housing.

7. A claim in accordance with claim 6 in which the position of said weight on said weight arm is axially adjustable.

8. In a lens grinding machine, the combination of a support, a grinding wheel which has a grooved rim and which is mounted on said support so as to be turnable about a horizontal axis, a housing which is mounted on said support so as to be turnable about a vertical axis, said housing having means adapted to receive a lens which is turnable about a horizontal axis, means for locating said lens in grinding position within said groove in said grinding wheels, a lever arm having one end mounted on said support so that said arm is turnable in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis, a weight arm connected to said lever arm and extending laterally thereof, a weight mounted on said weight arm, and a coupling member mounted on said housing in the path of travel of said lever arm, whereby the action of said weight causes said lever arm to exert a turning force on said housing.

9. A claim in accordance with claim 8, in which the position of said weight on said weight arm is axially adjustable.

10. A lens grinding machine comprising a support, a grinding wheel which is mounted on said support so as to be turnable about a horizontal axis, a main housing mounted on said support,

a lens housing pivotally secured to said main ing wheels, drive means for turning said lens and said grinding wheels and means for removing said lens from contact with said grinding wheel after a predetermined number of revolutions of said lens, said removing means comprising a first lever arm which is mounted at an intermediate point thereof on said main housing so as to be turnable about a vertical axis, the first end of said first lever being connected to said main housing by a spring which tends to turn said lever, a ratchet wheel which carries a cam means and which is turnably mounted in said main housing and which is connected to and driven by said driving means, said cam means bearing against the other end of said first lever and counteracting the action of said springs, a vertical post turnably mounted in said main housing, a spring connected between said post and said main housing and tending to turn said post, said post having a side projection which normally abuts the end wall of said first end of said first lever to prevent said post from turning, a second lever arm mounted at an intermediate point thereof on said main housing so as to be tumable about a horizontal axis, said post having side projecting cam means which are positioned to block the path of travel of a first end of said second lever, the other end of said second lever being coupled to said lens housing, said ratchet wheel cam means having an angular position in which it moves said first lever against the action of said first lever spring so that said end wall of said first end of said first lever clears the path of travel of said post projection and permits said post to turn, said post cam means being operatively shaped thereby to turn said first end of said second lever, whereby the other end thereof turns said lens housing and removes said lens from contact with said grinding wheel.

ARTHUR LEMAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 375,332 Besson et a1 Dec. 27, 1887 1,272,474 Long July 16, 1918 1,630,264 Gunning May 31, 1927 1,657,720 Long Jan. 31, 1928 1,659,964 Schultz Feb. 21, 1928 1,865,642 Raule July 5, 1932 2,233,312 Harrold Feb. 25, 1941 

